Katenda Nets Big East Offer
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey was in the stands last Saturday as Cheshire Academy visited the Salisbury School.
Eric Katenda scored 21 points to lead his team to a 77-68 win. Shortly afterwards the Cheshire Academy big man received his first high major scholarship offer from the Fighting Irish.
Katenda is in the midst of a tremendous two weak streak. He scored 37 points against Suffield Academy, 34 against St. Andrew’s, 21 vs. Salisbury, and most recently 33 against Choate.
Notre Dame becomes the second program to offer the talented junior forward a scholarship, joining Stetson who became the first school to make an offer this fall.
As good as Katenda has been, his best basketball is clearly still in front of him as he is just beginning to tap into his tremendous potential.
Consequently, Notre Dame may prove to be just the first of many high major schools who make an offer as schools like UConn, Michigan, St. John’s, West Virginina, and Oregon State are already expressing interest. Siena, Harvard, Cornell, and Penn are also said to be involved according to Cheshire Academy head coach Kevin Kehoe.
Katenda is in just his second season in the United States after arriving at Cheshire Academy last year from his family’s home in Paris, France.
“He came to the country last year as an intriguing prospect. In one year’s time he turned intrigue into a legitimate high major recruit,” Kehoe said. “The future is unlimited for this young man. “
Katenda began to show signs of stardom last summer as he grew another inch, expanded his skill set to the perimeter, and became more comfortable with the speed and the physicality of the American game.
This year he has taken it to another level, currently averaging over 27 points and 13 rebounds per game while leading Cheshire to a 14-8 record.
Update - Assistant coaches from Siena and Columbia were in the stands yesterday for Cheshire's game vs. Choate and following the contest Katenda picked up his third offer from Siena.